Navagraha Temple stands on top of Chitrachal Hill in Guwahati, with the Brahmaputra River flowing wide below and the city stretching out in the distance. Known as the “Temple of the Nine Planets,” the temple is devoted to the nine grahas, or planets, which are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Bṛhaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu.
History of Navagraha Temple
The story of Navagraha Temple goes back a long way, though the exact beginning is a bit unclear. Many believe the place was already considered sacred long before the present shrine was built. The structure that stands today was made in 1752, during the Ahom rule, under the patronage of King Rajeswar Singha. It was dedicated to the nine planetary deities, which, according to Vedic astrology, are believed to shape human fate. Inside, nine Shivalingams are kept, each draped with a cloth of a different color, symbolizing the nine planets.
In those days, Guwahati was called Pragjyotishpura, meaning “City of Eastern Astrology,” and it was an important center for learning astrology. The temple became a reflection of that legacy, a spot where celestial worship and local traditions came together. A strong earthquake in 1897 damaged the temple badly, but the local people and royal family helped to rebuild it afterward. Old scriptures like the Kalika Purana mention Chitrachal Hill as a holy place, which is why the temple’s position on top of the hill is seen as special, it’s said to align with cosmic energies and make it ideal for astrological rituals.
Not far from the temple, in the valley to the south, there’s a nine-cornered tank called Silpukuri. It was dug in connection with the temple and is considered part of its sacred landscape.
Architecture of Navagraha Temple
The Navagraha Temple presents a fine example of traditional Assamese architecture, blended with features of the Nagara style. The Navagraha Temple is built mainly of stone and brick, and its most distinctive feature is the octagonal sanctum, a form that is traditionally linked with the idea of cosmic balance and order. Within this chamber are placed nine Shiva lingams, each one representing a planetary deity, Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu. They are arranged in a circle, reflecting how the planets are positioned in the astrological system. Every lingam here is covered with a cloth of a certain color, each one connected to the planet it stands for. Above the sanctum, a curved dome rises, and on top of it sits a golden kalasha. When the sunlight falls on it, the kalasha shines brightly, standing out against the green hill around the temple.
Legends of Navagraha Temple
Local stories connect Navagraha Temple to Guwahati’s old name, Pragjyotishpura, which means “City of Eastern Light” or “City of Astrology.” People say that the sage Sukracharya, teacher of the demons and an expert in astrology, once meditated here, giving the place its celestial importance. Another tale mentions that the temple’s spot on Chitrachal Hill is in harmony with cosmic energies, making it a strong center for lessening the negative effects of planets in one’s horoscope.
The temple is thought to balance the influence of the planets, and many devotees visit seeking improved health, success, and overall prosperity. Many devotees visit to seek relief from the challenges caused by malefic planets like Shani or Rahu.
Worship, Festivals, and Practices at Navagraha Temple
At Navagraha Temple, devotees honor the nine planets through rituals linked to Vedic astrology. They typically offer items like grains, flowers, and colored cloth representing each planet, red for Surya (Sun), white for Chandra (Moon), and other colors for the rest. Special ceremonies such as the Navagraha homam are performed to reduce planetary doshas (afflictions) in people’s horoscopes. Unlike many other temples in Assam, animal sacrifice is not practiced here.
The temple sees its largest crowds during Navagraha Puja, held on auspicious days in the lunar calendar, often aligned with planetary movements like Surya Sankranti (the Sun’s transition). Maha Shivratri, which comes around February or March, is the biggest festival here. People come in large numbers because the Navagrahas are shown as Shiva lingams. Even during eclipses, many visitors come to do special rituals for the planets and ask for their blessings.
How to Reach Navagraha Temple
By Bus: Buses to Chitrachal run from Guwahati’s main city terminals and take about 30 minutes.
By Air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, 22 km away, has flights to cities like Delhi and Kolkata. From the Airport: If you land at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, taking a taxi will get you to Navagraha Temple in about 40 minutes.
By Train: Guwahati Railway Station is only 2 km from the temple and has trains to places like Delhi and Dibrugarh. From the station, you can take an auto or taxi, it takes around 10 minutes.
Best Time to Visit: October to March is good because the weather is cool (15–25°C), and climbing Chitrachal Hill is easier with nice city views. Early mornings on weekdays (6–8 AM) are quiet, perfect for seeing the sunrise over Brahmaputra. During festivals like Maha Shivratri or when planets change positions, throngs of people come, sometimes 5,000–10,000, so going early is better.
Nearby Places to See:
Umananda Temple: About 5 km away on Peacock Island, you need a 10-minute boat ride from Umananda Ghat.
Kamakhya Temple: 8 km away on Nilachal Hill, a major Shakti Peetha, famous for Ambubachi Mela.
Basistha Temple: 10 km away, a quiet Shiva shrine in a forest with natural streams.
